Total pages in book: 19
Estimated words: 16943 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 85(@200wpm)___ 68(@250wpm)___ 56(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16943 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 85(@200wpm)___ 68(@250wpm)___ 56(@300wpm)
“Tomorrow sounds great.” After hashing out our plans, we finish off the rest of the banana split.
The banter between us is easy, but underneath it, there’s a tension swirling around us. I’m pretty freaking sure everyone in town can feel the electricity crackling between us.
As I’m processing my whirlwind of thoughts, he slides out of the booth and tosses the empty bowl down into the trash before turning back to me. “I should get going, but I’ll see you tomorrow night.” He pauses, and my pulse quickens as he steps closer again.
“I’m glad you stopped by.” The words feel inadequate as they leave my lips, but it’s the best I can muster with the ‘Gabe fog’ swirling through my brain.
In the blink of an eye, he closes the distance between us. My breath catches as I watch his expression shift from playful to something far more serious. It’s powerful, a sudden rush of excitement flows through me.
“Louisa,” he says my name in his deep voice, causing my heart to flutter as my mind spins out of control. And then, before I can even think about what’s happening, he leans in, and my world catches fire.
His lips cover mine, soft and demanding all at once, surprisingly tender compared to the whirlwind of chaos coursing through my veins. I lose myself in the sensation as his warmth envelops me. Everything else around us blurs. It’s just him and me, locked in this incredible kiss.
His lips move confidently over mine with an intoxicating mix of sweetness and just the right amount of urgency, and my defenses melt away like ice cream under the hot sun.
I lean into him instinctively, finally allowing myself to experience what it feels like to have him this close, to feel the power of his kiss wrapping around me. Moments stretch out between us, and the connection deepens as I taste the remnants of his banana split mingled with bourbon.
The world fades, and all I can focus on are his lips, his breath ghosting over my face, and the feel of his muscular body pressed tight against mine.
After what feels like a lifetime lost in a dream, he finally pulls back. There’s a playful glint in his eye that softens the intensity of the moment, but I can still feel the electric connection humming between us. “See you tomorrow,” he says, his voice dropping to a gravelly timbre that sends shivers down my spine.
“Yeah… wow,” I manage to stutter, my cheeks flushed and heart racing. “I’ll see you then.”
Standing there frozen, I watch as he walks out the front door and disappears around the corner.
“Wow.” Wendy walks up beside me fanning herself. “The heat coming off you two almost caught the ice cream shop on fire. Wait ‘til I tell Tilly her last son finally found his mate. She’s going to be over the moon.”
Swallowing, I glance over at her. “Mate?” I already had a sneaking suspicion the pull between Gabe and me wasn’t your run-of-the-mill attraction, but I wasn’t ready to admit it could be this serious.
“Polar bear shifters are completely monogamous. We don’t play the field.” Wendy shrugs and heads back over to the counter to help a customer while I stand there absorbing the news.
Chapter 5
Gabe
The winter sun's starting to slip from the sky over Glacier Pass, casting the town in a rich, warm glow. I’ve spent the entire afternoon counting down the minutes until my date with Louisa. In the process of pacing my office, I discovered time moves slower than a tranquilized turtle when you’re obsessing over your gorgeous mate.
I pull into the parking lot of Papa Bear’s Italian Eatery and pull up the menu on my phone. I decided to grab dinner from the popular Italian restaurant since my cooking skills are non-existent.
After deciding what I’m going to order, I step inside to find the pungent scent of garlic and marinara wafting through the air. My stomach grumbles, reminding me I haven’t eaten a fucking thing today.
“That’s right, asshole. I’m wasting away to nothing,” my inner polar bear hisses in my ear as I place the order for our dinner.
While I’m waiting, a text from Grant pops up on the screen. The persistent asshole just doesn’t get the message.
Baby Brother
Why are you ignoring my calls?
Me
Do I need a reason?
Baby Brother
Asshole.
Me
Takes one to know one.
It’s childish but I don’t fucking care if I hurt his feelings.
Baby Brother
You don’t have to be a jerk.
Me
Whatever. I’ll talk to you later.
I don’t give Grant any hint of my plans, hoping to keep my date with Louisa a secret until it’s over.
“Gabe! Your order’s ready.” The cashier’s voice snaps me back to reality, and I grab the takeout with a determined nod.
The drive back feels interminable like the rest of the day has been.
When I finally pull up to my cabin, I pull into the garage and hop out. I grab the food and slam the truck door shut. As the sound echoes around the silent woods, I march inside, laying out the containers. The smell of rich Italian food fills the air, tempting my starving inner bear.